NEW ZEALAND RABBITSKINS

Evening Star, Issue 18032, 28 July 1922, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND RABBITSKINS

BEST IN THE WOULD. INTERVIEW WITH ME LIEBMANN. Introduced by Mr T. Ritchie, a ‘ Star ’ interviewer had the pleasure of meeting Mr Max Liebmann, of Now York, at the Grand Hotel last night. Mr Liebmann represents the groat firm of Liebmann Bros., of 28 West Twentysixth street, New York. Ho is operating in skins on a very large scale during his visit to Australasia, and is the first authority on the subject anywherc—Dunedin at the present, time. Asked whore the world’s greatest supply of rabbitskins comes from, Mr Liebmann replied; From Australia, a,nd the largest contributing State_ there is New South Wales. Australia as a whole is the chief contributor for quantity. , “ What about quality? was the next question, and the answer came, very promptly: New Zealand is an easy first, 1 bar no place on the earth. No other country can equal New Zealand for the value per skin. You see it in the prices they fetch. The climate here is evidently just what the rabbit likes. The coldness makes for fur, and hence you have better coats in Otago than in the north. Replying to other questions, the visitor'stated that most of _ the skins are exported direct to America. Some are shipped to England, but nearly all so sent afterwards cross to America to -be manufactured. New York is the centre of tho industry. America uses about 75 per cent, of the Australian and New Zealand skins for wear in the United States, and the balance of -25 per cent, is sent out to England and the The bulk of the skins are made up into ladies’ coats. They arc dyed different colors, chiefly black, brown, and kitt-fox color, and some are made to imitate sealskin. _ Thus treated, they are made into fashionable coats and worn in all tho principal centres of civilisation, some finding their way back to Now Zealand. The manufacturing is a special development of work.

A question as to tho method of conducting tho sales led Mr Liebmann to remark: For a small city like Dunedin the arrangements could hardly ho improved on. Maybe a big industry like this would warrant a little better accommodation for tho buyers—a more modern auction room would be appreciated ; hut your facilities for tho actual bringing together of buyers and sellers and getting through the sales, and for tho examination of skins beforehand, are quite sufficient in regard to the real work. What I moan is that you do not suffer from want of accommodation, but travelling buyers would welcome a little extra comfort. One thing I can say honestly, and that is that Dunedin has a perfect champion of an auctioneer.

Invited to express an opinion as to the prospects of the rabbitskin trade—whether it is likely to increase or diminish—Air Liebmann thought for a moment, and then answered: I am of opinion that it will extend. The market is ready. According to my judgment, America is prepared to take the whole of the Australian and Now Zealand output for tho next ten years. That is long enough to call a steady demand. I think you can rely on the truth of that opinion. I give it upon consideration.

“I have been in tho colonies five and a-half months,” added tho visitor, “ and up to now have spent on purchases about_ £60,000, mostly in Now Zealand. I intend to start for homo about the middle of next month. Your people have given mo a good time, and I thank them. I am also grateful for having gained a. lot of knowledge about your good little country and other matters.”